Picatinny Lake
Key Takeaway
Picatinny Lake is classified as high hazard in New Jersey. It was completed in 1904 and is 122 years old. Its primary use is water supply. High hazard means loss of life is likely if the dam fails — it does not indicate the dam's current condition. Learn more.
Physical Details
| Dam Height | 15 ft (taller than 51.4% in NJ) |
| Dam Length | 700 ft |
| Dam Type | Earth |
| Max Storage | 655 acre-ft |
| Normal Storage | 380 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 110 acres |
| Drainage Area | 9 sq mi |
| Max Discharge | 1,799 cfs |
| Year Completed | 1904 (122 years old) |
| Year Modified | 2012 |
| NID ID | NJ00002 |
Safety Information
Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails.
Hazard potential describes downstream consequences of failure, not the dam's current condition. What does this mean?
Ownership
Picatinny Arsenal
Federal Government
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High Hazard 15 ftFrequently Asked Questions
What is the hazard classification of Picatinny Lake?
Picatinny Lake is classified as High Hazard. Loss of human life is likely if the dam fails. This classification refers to the potential downstream consequences of a failure, not the dam's current structural condition.
Who owns and operates Picatinny Lake?
Picatinny Lake is owned by Picatinny Arsenal (Federal Government). The owner is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and compliance with dam safety regulations.
When was Picatinny Lake built?
Picatinny Lake was completed in 1904, making it 122 years old. Many U.S. dams were built between the 1930s and 1970s during a period of major infrastructure investment.
What is the primary purpose of Picatinny Lake?
Picatinny Lake serves the following purposes: Water Supply, Fire Protection, Stock, Or Small Fish Pond, Fish And Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Flood Risk Reduction. Many dams in the U.S. are multi-purpose, supporting flood control, water supply, recreation, and other uses.
How tall is Picatinny Lake?
Picatinny Lake has a dam height of 15 ft. Dam height is measured from the natural streambed at the downstream toe to the top of the dam, and may differ from the visible height.
When was Picatinny Lake last inspected?
Picatinny Lake was last inspected on July 24, 2018. Inspection dates indicate when a formal review occurred, not the results of that inspection.